QLD Government funding UQ's $251m Student Residences Project

The project will deliver five new buildings and 1,300 student beds and will offer around-the-clock pastoral support and security as well as easy access to campus sporting and cultural facilities and regular public transport.

Wilson Architects+ Partners Hill will design the Student Residences Project, continuing their longstanding relationship with UQ and following their highly successful collaboration on the multi-award-winning Translational Research Institute (TRI).

There has been significant resistance to the development from the local community, largely because of the terrible traffic conditions in St Lucia caused by growing student and staff numbers, and limited public transport routes.

UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Hoj said that the university is committed to closely consulting with the community to finalise the design and planning.

While the unversity expects reduced traffic flows from increased on-campus living, some argue that it will increase traffic flows. For now, all we can do is say a silent prayer to the traffic-gods that the design and planning, and more importantly implentation, relieves some pressure on the area.

The student residences will encompass sites in Walcott Street and Hood Street. Caingorm, a former family home built around 1901, will be refurbished and incorporated into the development, and two large fig trees in front of the Caingorm in Walcott Street will be kept.

Construction is likely to begin in mid-2017, with students moving in at the start of 2020.